The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-07
THE HARPER TRIAL.
The COURTROOM Continually Thronged b5
People Anxious to See the Defendant,

CINCINNATI Dec. 6-Although the main fac.
in the great Fidelity Bank failure, caused by
the famous but disastrous wheat deal with E.
l.. Harper as general manager. have been be-
fore the public for six months yet the interest
in the matter remains vivid as ever. To-day.
for instance. when the whole day was devoted
to dreary but damaging business records of thu
eccentricities of Harpers checks and drafts ana
certificates of deposit, with not a CLEAN Of
dramatic coloring the courtroom was kept con
tinually full. A large space is divided by rail
ing from the public's domain, into which thu
parties, their council. members of the bar, thf
press and distinguished visitors are admit ed
Among the last named are included ladies.
This space to-day kept fully occupied by
continually changing assembly. The furthes
end of the room IS open to the public, but
disorder is permitted An almost constant pro
cession of men passes in and out as CURIOSITY
leads them in and disappointment drives then
out, but they all move noiselessly under thS
constant watchfulness of two or three deputy
pointed. They get to see Harpen
the central figure of the scene, with that unex,
plainable courage and cheerfulness which hsf
never yet deserted him. He is the most inter.
ested man in the court room, but he betrays ne
worry nor annoyance. His black hair and in<
features distinguish him il fiattering contrast
with his portly and somewhat lethargic counsel,
Messrs Blackburn and Wilson. Mrs. Harper Is
also seen by these curiosity hunters. Her gen
there through the long. dull hours of the whole
days session, giving what support her presence
may be to her husband. They also see her sis.
ter, Miss Matthews. beautiful girl with a tell
tale face hiding with difficulty her emotions.
Beyond the sight seeing there was little of inter,
est to-day. The testimony almost all related tt
Harper's method of doing business
Ebert F. Gay. individual book keeper of the
Merchants National Bank, testified to nuner-
Gus over drafts on their hank by j. w Wiltshire
& Co. The same story told about Swiftg
iron and steel-works. Hinch, the receiving
teller of the Fidelity. told of Harper taking up
when the bank examiner was there by givina
his own check to the amount of over $500, 900.
He shown three drafts the Western Ma
tional ofNew York for $15, 600. 500 900 and $40
Westerns account. yet the drafts were paid,
making it appear that the Western had some
of the Fidelity money.
The cross-examination of this witness showed
the most persistent effort Of the defense yet
made to bolster up a case. He was asked Il
there not entries showing that interest
had been paid on checks carried as cash items.
He found one instance who're j. w. Wiltshire d
Co. had paid $ll5 interest but more APP
reared There were few interest charges IN
the account of Swifts iron and steel-worgs.
Mr.. Adam Wagner, assignee of the Swift iron
and steel works. testified that he found assets
worth $3.50, 900 and liabilities amounting to 81.
200, 900.
j. II. Walters book-keeper testified that GER
tifeates of deposit were issued out OF consecu-
tive order as to dates and numbers. Adjourned
till tomorrow.
In a hearing before Judge Peck. to-day, of the
suit of the executor of Bulah Coates. il wag
brought out that Ben E. Hopkins. the late as
sistant cashier of the Fidelity Bank. had hy-
pothecated 225 shares of insurance stock belong
ing TO Coates. the value being sd 900 1t was
also stated by the executor OF Coates that Hop
kins had admitted his Indebtedness TO the estats
to the amount of 800 OOo